Mercy

FULL LENGTH, PUBLISHED. Orville is trying to get on with his life after his wife was killed in a car accident. His father is mostly taking care of his still unnamed infant daughter while his boss as work is aggressively trying to comfort him. Everything changes when he sees the man responsible for his wife's death. Is someone in this much pain capable of forgiveness?
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Mercy

Recommended by

  • Steven G. Martin:
    15 Jul. 2019
    Szymkowicz had created a living hell for grief-stricken Orville filled with people living their own hells, and the audience is invited to witness things far too intimate and personal for far too long a time. Very dark, very unnerving, and written very well.
  • Jan Rosenberg:
    30 Apr. 2019
    A heartbreaking play about grief and the trauma of trying to forgive. The terror of having to move forward and raise a kid on your own and trying not to fall apart. Really moving, this one.
  • Michael Goodwin Hilton:
    21 Jul. 2018
    At the beginning, Orville gently cajoles his unnamed daughter to make a sound, any sound, to communicate. This scene brilliantly sets up a play in which each character struggles to recognise and express exactly what is going on inside them, whether it is Brenda trying to explain her failing marriage, Ian struggling to confess what he's done, Walter attempting to speak openly with his son, or Orville coming to terms with his sense of grave responsibility. The arc from isolation to openness, from supression to communicativeness, is strikingly clear and poignant. A tremendous play in every respect! Read, produce immediately!

Character Information

  • Orville Marks
    30s to 40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
  • Walter Marks
    60s to 70s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Father of Orville
  • Brenda James
    30s to 40s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Orville's Boss
  • Ian Sanders
    25 to 45,
    Any
    ,
    Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    New Jersey Rep
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Barefoot Theater
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Wilbury Theater Group
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Azuka Theater
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    MCC Theater
    ,
    2013
  • Reading
    ,
    Asylum Theater
    ,
    2013
  • Reading
    ,
    Primary Stages
    ,
    2012

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    New Jersey Rep
    ,
    2018